•  APPRENTICESHIP &

    CAREER TRAINING RESOURCES

     Why an Apprenticeship?

    Many people are not familiar with apprenticeships. An apprenticeship is a job in which an individual is paid to learn a set of skills through on-the-job training.  The U.S. Department of Labor and the Texas Workforce Commission oversees a system of registered apprenticeships.  
     
    There are several reasons a graduate may want to pursue an apprenticeship.  It's a job that you get paid for, but it's also school. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Apprentices earn an average starting yearly salary of more than $50,000, and during their careers, they'll earn $300,000 more on average than their non-apprentice peers."   The same report shows that there are 400,000 registered apprenticeships nationwide in more than 1000 occupations.
     
    An apprenticeship could be the first step in jump-starting your career!
     

     What Training Does Midland College Offer?

    Locally, Midland College provides an avenue to certifications and degrees that can lead to an exciting career.  From Automotive Technology to Welding Technology, Midland College offers a variety of programs of study.  Even high school students may begin a certificate program as early as the 9th grade.  Many students will be eligible for dual credit CTE courses by the 11th grade.
     
    After graduation, junior colleges across Texas offer a variety of programs of study that lead to certificates and degrees. 

     Why Choose a Career School?

    Schools that teach career-oriented programs have a variety of names.  They may be described as career, trade, vocational, or technical.   
    Students often choose career schools for fast, intense, and specific training towards a career. Career schools are privately-owned institutions that offer classroom or online training to teach the skills needed to perform a particular career, trade or profession.
     
    Prospective students should shop wisely and use all available resources to investigate cost, length, enrollment, accreditation, and program success before committing.
     
    The Texas Workforce Commission has the needed resources to research and investigate career and trade schools.  
     
    After graduation, a career school may be an option for you.   
     
    To pay for career or trade school, you may be asked to apply for financial aid through the school's financial aid program. If you take out a loan, be sure you read the agreement and understand the terms of repayment before you sign. Find out if the lender is the federal government, the school, or another private entity?
    Ask whether you can apply for a federal government loan; it may have better terms. For more information, go to studentaid.gov.

    Remember that a school is not an employment agency.  
    No school can guarantee you a job when you graduate.